SB 38 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the eviction from real property of certain persons not entitled to enter, occupy, or remain in possession of the premises.

SB 38 amends Texas Property Code to clarify procedures for eviction lawsuits involving tenants who lack legal right to occupy property. It specifies that justice courts must handle eviction cases in the precinct where the property is located, with limited circumstances allowing case transfers to adjacent precincts (e.g., if service delays occur or trials cannot be scheduled within 21 days). The bill prohibits courts from charging additional filing or service fees when transferring cases and explicitly states that eviction courts cannot rule on property title disputes or allow separate claims against third parties. This affects landlords and tenants involved in eviction proceedings by streamlining court processes and limiting judicial overreach.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

Senate Passage

May 2025

House Passage

Jun 2025

Signed into Law

Jun 2025

Introduced Mar 14, 2025 Signed Jun 20, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed → Enrolled · 6 edits · Jun 20, 2025

MODERATE

This bill updates Texas eviction laws to improve tenant protections, streamline court procedures, and enhance accessibility. Key changes include new requirements for notice delivery methods, expanded tenant rights during appeals, and clearer rules for summary disposition motions.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of tenant protections by adding new notice requirements, modifying appeal procedures, and clarifying rules for electronic proceedings and service of process.

REQUIREMENT

Added new requirements for how eviction notices must be delivered, including options for electronic communication if agreed upon in writing.

Added new sections requiring citations to include specific notices about military rights, legal assistance resources, and consequences of failing to appear at trial.

TIMELINE

Modified trial timing requirements to ensure trials occur between the 10th and 21st day after petition filing, with specific protections for tenants on active military duty.

ENFORCEMENT

Added new provisions allowing for electronic proceedings via videoconference or teleconference when parties agree.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified appeal procedures to include clearer requirements for tenants filing statements of inability to pay court costs, with specific information about rent deposits during appeals.

DEFINITION

Modified definitions of eviction suits to clarify that they include forcible entry, detainer, and forcible detainer suits.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 10, 2025 · House May 23, 2025

How they voted

20–8

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 30

Apr 10, 2025

D Democratic10

1 Yea 8 Nay 1

80% Nay

R Republican20

19 Yea 1

95% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 20, 2025

Signed into law

Signed by the Governor

executive

Jun 1, 2025

Lower · Passed

Signed in the House

lower

May 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

Signed in the Senate

upper

May 29, 2025

Introduced

Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported

lower

May 28, 2025

Introduced

Senate concurs in House amendment(s)

upper

May 28, 2025

Introduced

House amendment(s) laid before the Senate

upper

May 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

House passage as amended reported

upper

May 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed

lower

May 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed to 3rd reading as amended

lower

May 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Amended

lower

May 23, 2025

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (125-14-8)

house

May 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report sent to Calendars

lower

May 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report distributed

lower

May 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)

lower

May 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Vote reconsidered in committee

lower

May 13, 2025

Committee

Failed to receive affirmative vote in comm.

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Committee

Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

lower

Apr 14, 2025

Introduced

Received from the Senate

lower

Apr 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Apr 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed to engrossment as amended

upper

Apr 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Amended

upper

Apr 10, 2025

Introduced

Amendment(s) offered

upper

Apr 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee report printed and distributed

upper

Apr 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

upper

Mar 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

Vote taken in committee

upper

Mar 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

Left pending in committee

upper

Mar 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

Testimony taken in committee

upper

Mar 17, 2025

Committee

Referred to State Affairs

upper

Mar 17, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

upper

17 primary · 14 co-sponsors